The Role of Chiefdom Councils in Decentralisation: Evidence from Bo District, Sierra Leone

Abstract: The 190 chiefdoms of Sierra Leone constitute the lowest level of governance where
the majority of Sierra Leoneans reside, particularly outside Freetown and its surrounding rural
areas. These chiefdoms are administered by Paramount Chiefs, supported by sub-chiefs and a
range of chiefdom administrative officers. As integral components of district administration in
Sierra Leone, chiefdoms represent the level of governance through which essential services are
delivered to local populations. Paramount Chiefs serve as heads of chiefdom councils and
oversee several key functions, including the collection of local taxes, mobilization of communal
labour for socio-economic development initiatives, regulation of farming activities, and the
arbitration and adjudication of local disputes.
Bo District is one of the sixteen districts in the country and is located in the Southern Province.
This study assessed the role of chiefdom councils in the district using a qualitative
phenomenological research approach. In-depth personal interviews were conducted with key
informants across the sixteen chiefdoms of Bo District. The data were analyzed using the
constant comparative method, whereby information was systematically disaggregated into
thematic categories for interpretation and reporting.